SAN DIEGO, CA. Mayor Jerry Sander’s announcement on Wednesday, November 5th, that for budgetary reasons, he was set to close 7 libraries – including the Ocean Beach branch – San Diego’s oldest library – has caused quite a stir among the citizenry. That same day, the Board of Library Commissioners voted unanimously to oppose suspension of services at any City libraries-including the temporary closure of branches. Comments left on the OB Rag blog’s website on the closures also reflect outrage. Go here for our post from Thursday.

Mayor Sanders also announced that he wanted to close 9 Rec Centers and 1 gym around town. Supposedly, one library from each Council District – except District 8 – has been selected for closure based on the ‘least used.’ Also, the Cabrillo Rec Center in Point Loma is also slated for closure (see map below for other sites).

Any closures have to be approved by the City Council. According to the Library Commissioners’ website, public hearings on these recommendations are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 12 and 19. The Friends of the San Diego Public Library encourage all Library supporters to:

Stay informed of how to communicate their support of libraries by joining the Friends Advocacy Network. Network members receive e-mails about Library issues, such as the proposed closures and help deliver the library’s message to elected officials, neighbors and community leaders. To join this network, enter your e-mail here and select the “Friends Library Advocacy” group from the sign up list.

1. Proposed cuts to libraries and park & rec are as reprehensible as they are unacceptable. Ask all council districts & mayor to request a continuance from the Budget and Finance Committee on Wed, Nov 12 so that we can all review the response of the Office of Independent Budget Analysis. They have pretty good track record for finding lumps under the carpet.

2. Ask the council to take the mayor to task for not providing all department cuts to the IBA prior to releasing his recommendations. Do we really have time for turf wars?

3. How about if we don’t pit district against district when we should be saving our civic infrastructure across the board? Why are we even considering reducing/eliminating services to the least “recession proof” among us?

4. Isn’t it about time we call in the loans from CCDC? Take another look at TOT? And yeah, maybe bite the bullet on paying for trash pick up? If we don’t come up with a long term solution, the next budget go round will be Slasher II.

I emailed Faulconer – the word of this travesty needs to spread quickly. I would suggest that everyone email everyone they know in San Diego (and beyond). Libraries should never close as a result of shaving city expeditures. Never!

There should be organized protests for each of these libraries that face closure. Citizens need to step up and say no to government! Libraries are off limits! Let’s do it now, while we still can.

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